Liverpool consolidated their grip on third place in the Premiership by coasting to a convincing 4-0 victory over Sheffield United at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

Robbie Fowler’s first half spot-kick double (20 and 25) and second half strikes from Sami Hyypia (70) and Steven Gerrard (73) fired the Reds to an emphatic win that moves them to within three points of second-placed Chelsea and seven clear of fourth-placed Arsenal.

Having sent shockwaves reverberating around Europe in midweek, a rousing reception from the Anfield gallery greeted the returning heroes as they resumed their ‘bread and butter’ quest on the domestic front.

With a couple of big games looming, Benitez shuffled his pack and veteran Kop favourite Fowler was one of seven changes to the starting eleven that helped defeat Barcelona in the Nou Camp.

Javier Mascherano was handed his Reds debut in the centre of midfield alongside Steven Gerrard and, with Pepe Reina’s wife about to give birth, Jerzy Dudek also made a rare start between the sticks.

Hyypia was recalled to the centre of defence in place of Daniel Agger, Mark Gonzalez and Jermaine Pennant came in to patrol the flanks, while Fowler was partnered by Peter Crouch in attack.

It was on the opening day of the season that Neil Warnock’s newly promoted Blades blunted Liverpool’s start to the campaign by holding them to a 1-1 draw at Brammall Lane and, given the much-changed line-up, hopes must have been high in the away dug-out of a repeat result.

But Rafa’s squad rotation policy worked a treat and it was the Reds who stuck the knife in to draw first blood after 20 minutes.

Robert Kozluk wrestled Gerrard to the floor as a corner was floated in from the right. Referee Steve Bennett immediately pointed to spot and Fowler made no mistake in expertly despatching the spot-kick to the left of Paddy Kenny’s outstretched arms.

Seven minutes later the Reds number nine doubled Liverpool’s advantage in almost identical circumstances. Gerrard was brought down in the box for a second time, this time by Nick Montgomery, and Fowler comfortably completed the task again, opting for the opposite corner on this occasion as Kenny dived the wrong way.

With the points safe, the main focus now was on how many Liverpool could score and the only surprise was that it took until twenty minutes from the end before the United net was pierced again.

Hyypia pounced on a loose ball as the visitors struggled to clear a corner and the big Finn’s goalward bound shot was deflected in off the legs of a defender for 3-0.

Three minutes later Gerrard completed the scoring and put the seal on a satisfactory afternoon when he drove the ball home from the right edge of the area.

A panel comprising 4 Anfield favourites – Steve Highway, Phil Thompson, David Fairclough, and Alan Kennedy evaluate what was for Liverpool, a golden decade even by their standards. FA Cup Winners in ’74 Euro Champs in ’77 and ’78 and first Division champso n no les sthan a staggering 5 occasions, Liverpool chose this decade to set the benchmark for sucess.

After choosing their personal team of the decade plus a manager, the panel then support their choice by analysing key moments from osme of Liverpool 70’s cup campaigns.

Liverpool pulled off one of the most stunning results in their proud European history as they came from behind to defeat Barcelona 2-1 in the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.

Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise were the goalscoring heroes as the Reds took a major step towards securing a place in the last eight of this season’s Champions League.

Deco had earlier given Barca the lead but a Bellamy diving header two minutes before the break levelled matters and Riise sealed a memorable victory with a well-struck shot into the roof of the net on 73 minutes.

With Alvaro Arbeloa making his full debut, the Reds started encouragingly on what is one of world football’s grandest stages but they were swiftly punished when Barca stepped up a gear.

Gianluca Zambrotta raced past Steven Gerrard on the left and whipped in a cross that was clinically converted by an unmarked Deco who’d ghosted in at the far post.

Javier Saviola then shot wide and Deco went close as the reigning European Champions turned on the style and threatened to run riot.

Some resilient defending saw Liverpool weather the storm and as the interval approached they clawed their way back into the game through Bellamy.

Minutes earlier, the Welsh striker had headed a Gerrard free-kick into the side-netting but he made no mistake when Steve Finnan centered from the right.

Initially it looked as though Victor Valdes had managed to keep his effort out and Dirk Kuyt was on hand to turn home the rebound but television replays later proved it had already crossed the line.

In an end-to-end opening to the second half both goalkeepers were called upon to ensure the score remained level; Valdes saving with his legs from Gerrard and Pepe Reina twice denying Messi.

The thousands of travelling Liverpudlians who had made the trip would no doubt have settled for a 1-1 draw at this stage but they were soon dancing with delight as Riise smashed home what was to be the winning goal.

Deco curled an effort onto the post late on and Scouse nerves were frayed as four minutes of time was added on but Liverpool dealt with the pressure to deservedly hold out for a win that will live long in the memory.